No confidence motion in Peter O’Neill gathers momentum
29 October 2015
KEITH JACKSON
OPPOSITION parties in Papua New Guinea yesterday delivered on a long-standing threat and began formal preparations to move a motion of no confidence against prime minister Peter O'Neill.
The key movers of the motion are Pangu leader Sam Basil and Opposition leader Don Polye with other notable signatories being Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, Morobe Governor Kelly Naru and former Attorney General Kerenga Kua.
Bryan Kramer, a prominent observer of PNG politics, said the motion needs to comply with a number of constitutional requirements including giving no less than one week’s notice; signed by at least 12 MPs; and nominating the next prime minister.
With the motion now in train, it’s expected that “backbenchers who were previously ignored by the prime minister will now be wined and dined by him [to] solicit their vote,” said Mr Kramer.
“It's expected the faceless men or brief case carriers that move along corridors of Waigani will be inducing MPs,” he added.
Meanwhile, Radio New Zealand International reports that PNG’s Supreme Court has dismissed an application by attorney general Ano Pala (pictured) to restrain police from enforcing an arrest warrant against him.
Mr Pala is accused of conspiring with others to defeat the course of justice in relation to the long-running Paraka Lawyers scandal, which has engulfed many high-ranking officials including Mr O’Neill.
Yeterday, Supreme Court Justice George Manuhu dismissed Mr Pala's application saying the power of police to investigate and arrest should not be interfered with.
The Government has just called a vote of confidence in its own leader, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, and quickly voted for it, 78 to 2.
http://www.looppng.com/content/govt-calls-surprise-vote-confidence-0
Posted by: Bernard Singu Yegiora | 29 October 2015 at 01:00 PM
The new government can be formed but the justice will not prevail over these allegations. All MPs are part and partial of this, they all involved in corrupt practices and they knew each other.
Posted by: Steve Gallagher | 29 October 2015 at 12:50 PM